Tag: Jay Duplass

BEATRIZ AT DINNER – Review

Good performances can’t save BEATRIZ AT DINNER, a heavy-handed and poorly-written look at the war between the haves and have-nots. Beatriz (Salma Hayek) is a holistic healer and masseuse from Mexico who maneuvers L.A. traffic in her run-down VW as she hurries from her job at a cancer facility to the gated mansion of Cathy (Connie Britton). The wealthy woman considers Beatrix a ‘family friend’ since she helped her daughter through a recent illness. Cathy needs a massage before the important dinner party she’s hosting that night for some of her husband Grant’s (David Warshofsky) business associates. When Beatriz can’t get her car started in the driveway, Cathy impulsively invites her to spend the night and join the dinner. Once the guests arrive, things get uncomfortable. First to show up are Alex (Jay Duplass) and Shannon (Chloe Sevigny), young social-climbers impressed by Cathy and Grant’s upscale lifestyle. But things get truly awkward when Grant’s boss Doug Strutt (John Lithgow), an unscrupulous real-estate developer and his wife Jenna (Amy Landecker) arrive. Strutt and Beatriz, who he initially confuses for the wait staff, couldn’t be less alike. Where she is a bohemian spirit with deep connection to all living beings, he is larger-than-life, cunning and focused on success. While she’s grieving over a pet goat recently murdered by a neighbor, he’s bragging about the endangered birds he wants removed from the land earmarked for his latest development (subtlety’s not a strong point here). As they dine, Beatriz listens in on the conversations of these people whose views on politics and profit are so foreign to her. They in turn either humor or ignore her. The fireworks begin after Beatriz, fortified by a few glasses of wine, begins to speak her mind.

BEATRIZ AT DINNER is especially disappointing as it comes from writer Mike White and director Miguel Arteta, the team behind the brilliant 2000 black comedy CHUCK & BUCK, a squirmy film I often quote (“I didn’t say to act like a retarded kid”). Their new film’s biggest problem is that the script is shallow and lacks subtlety. These characters are caricatures, painted with a broad brush, which might be fine if this was satire but it’s all played so dead serious. Pure-hearted Beatriz may as well have a halo around her head while Strutt is simply a boorish, bigoted jerk lacking any nuance and his behavior just doesn’t ring true. Successful men don’t say “You’re from Mexico? Legally?”, when meeting a Latino woman (they may think it), and just when you think Strutt can’t be anymore exaggerated, the screenplay kicks his douchebaggery up a notch.  Strutt is a big game hunter (because of course he is), who whips out his phone and passes it around to show everyone the photo of him standing triumphantly over the enormous dead rhino he’s bagged. By this point Beatriz has already been established as the sensitive Earth-mother type, so to hand her the phone to take a look at Strutt’s kill makes even less sense than an earlier scene where the clueless wives assume she wants to look at a pic of some celebrities’ herpes-infested genitals.

While the characters may be sterotypes and the message ham-handed, the actors are all good. Lithgow is terrific, but I wish they’d thought outside the box in terms of casting Strutt. He just played a variation of this guy in THE ACCOUNTANT and it’s the type of part Lithgow can play in his sleep. Though just 85 minutes, BEATRIZ AT DINNER still seems padded, mostly with long stretches of Beatriz gazing into the camera, make-up free, her brow furrowed in soulful contemplation. At one point Cathy claims Beatriz is like a Saint and that birds probably fly down and land on her shoulders like Snow White. That would have been a better fantasy/dream sequence that the ill-advised one we’re given involving murderous wish-fulfillment that cheapens the actual, tragic finale. Having these two skilled actors go head-to -head does make BEATRIZ AT DINNER easier to digest, but I still can’t recommend it.

2 of 5 Stars

BEATRIZ AT DINNER opens in St. Louis June 23rd at The fabulous Hi-Pointe Theater and Landmark’s Plaza Frontenac Theater

Anna Kendrick Stars In The New Trailer For TABLE 19

table 19

Fox Searchlight Pictures has released the first trailer and poster for their upcoming film TABLE 19.

The film is directed by Jeffrey Blitz, with a story by Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass and Jeffrey Blitz.

Ex-maid of honor Eloise (Anna Kendrick) – having been relieved of her duties after being unceremoniously dumped by the best man via text – decides to hold her head up high and attend her oldest friend’s wedding anyway. She finds herself seated at the ‘random’ table in the back of the ballroom with a disparate group of strangers, most of whom should have known to just send regrets (but not before sending something nice off the registry). As everyone’s secrets are revealed, Eloise learns a thing or two from the denizens of Table 19.

Friendships – and even a little romance – can happen under the most unlikely circumstances.

TABLE 19 opens in cinemas January 20, 2017.

Visit the official site: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/table19/

TABLE 19

LAFF 2012 : THE DO-DECA-PENTATHALON

THE DO-DECA-PENTATHLON is the story of two grown brothers who rekindle their uber-competitive childhood sporting event, TheDo-Deca-Pentathlon, over a weekend family reunion in order to finally determine the ultimate winner. When the rest of the family is disrupted by the fierce competition of their unfinished business, the brothers must hide their efforts in order to complete the event once and for all.
This is the second film from Jay and Mark Duplass to be released under the Fox Searchlight Pictures banner following their 2010 poignant Sundance hit CYRUS.

The Duplass brothers show just how far sibling rivalry can go in THE DO-DECA-PENTATHALON. As in the past, the brothers take on the “family relationship”, showing a dark, funny side. Mark (Steve Zissis) and Jeremy (Mark Kelly) are tired of the tension between them after a 20 year grudge, and decide to settle things once and for all in a sporting competition that’s… not so sporty. 25 events, such as ping pong and laser tag, will determine who is the more superior brother.

Despite the small budget, the film still manages to be entertaining and smart. THE DO-DECA-PENTATHALON actually pre-dates the brothers prior releases CYRUS and JEFF, WHO LIVES AT HOME. It’s fascinating to watch this and see the progress that the brothers have made since this film. This is more of a throwback to their root films such as BAGHEAD and THE PUFFY CHAIR. Although the previous releases were a bit more polished, this film holds its own… even with actors that are not household names. Steve Zissis and Mark Kelly should be though. The two gave intense, witty performances.

OVERALL RATING: 3 out of 5 stars

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

WEBSITE: http://www.dodecapentathlon.com

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/TheDoDecaPentathlon

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Top Ten Jeffs In Movies

In honor of JEFF, WHO LIVES AT HOME, the gang at WAMG put together a different kind of Top Ten Ten Tuesday. This Friday, Paramount Vantage and Indian Paintbrush are bringing to the screen Jay Duplass’ and Mark Duplass’ story of Jeff (Jason Segel). On his way to the store to buy wood glue, Jeff looks for signs from the universe to determine his path. However, a series of comedic and unexpected events leads him to cross paths with his family in the strangest of locations and circumstances. Jeff just may find the meaning of his life… and if he’s lucky, pick up the wood glue as well.

So who’s game for a Top Ten Jeffs in Movies? We came up with a list of our favorite “Jeffs” and boy are they a busy lot. As you can see below, these guys have run the gamut between film, TV and the stage. Have a look at our list and tell us who you would’ve included.

10. Jeffrey Hunter

From Jesus Christ in KING OF KINGS to Christopher Pike, 1st Captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise on Star Trek, actor Jeffrey Pike made his mark as an actor in both TV and film. Most will remember Hunter’s star making performance in John Ford’s classic American Western THE SEARCHERS as John Wayne’s adoptive nephew. Although he died at the young age of 42, Hunter roles covered the cinematic landscape with such noticeable films THE LONGEST DAY (1962), A KISS BEFORE DYING (1956) and THE FROGMEN (1951).

09. Jeff Speakman

Jeff Speakman was supposed to the next Jean Claude Van Damme. A very accomplished martial artist, Speakman is founder and director of American Kenpo Karate Systems (AAKS), an international kenpo karate organization with more than 50 schools. In 1991 he was cast in the lead of his first showcase film THE PERFECT WEAPON, an adequately mediocre actioner that failed to distinguish itself from the gazillion direct-to-video martial arts films that were flooding the market at that time. He appeared in a few more films but his big moment as the next big thing never materialized and he went back to his (very successful) day job.

08. Jeff Fahey

A dependable character actor, Jeff Fahey scored the plum role of the Humphrey Bogart surrogate in Clint Eastwood’s WHITE HUNTER BLACK HEART in 1991 and the title role in the Stephen King adaption LAWNMOWER MAN a year later. Stardom eluded the rugged blue-eyed actor but he kept busy over the next two decades starring in a slew of direct-to-video horror and action films before becoming a TV regular with gigs on CSI and LOST. Robert Rodriguez cast Fahey in his films PLANET TERROR (2007) and MACHETE (2010) and he has a half dozen films in the can for future release.

07. Jeffrey Jones

“There are simply too many notes, that’s all. Just cut a few and it will be perfect,” Jeffrey Jones memorably intoned in his velvety voice as Emperor Joseph II in AMADEUS (1984). Jones followed up this Golden Globe-nominated turn with several more notable roles. He was Principal Ed Rooney in FERRIS BEULLER’S DAY OFF (1986), Mr. Deetz in Tim Burton’s BEETLEJUICE (1988) and was perfectly cast as Criswell in Burton’s ED WOOD (1994 – “We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives”). Often cast as a buffoon or foil, the 6′ 4½”actor had a great career going for him until 2004 when he was arrested on child pornography charges and -well – he was great in FERRIS BUELLER!

06. Jeffrey Wright

Primarily a stage actor, Jeffrey Wright has appeared on the big screen in such big films as SOURCE CODE, CASINO ROYALE, THE IDES OF MARCH, THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE and W. He also had a pivotal role in M. Night Shyamalan’s THE LADY ON THE WATER as Mr. Dury,  a word game enthusiast who is the symbolist of the fantasy story. Wright won a Tony Award for his role in Angels in America, and gave an astonishing portrayal of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in the 1996 film BASQUIAT.

05. Jeffrey Tambor

Mr. Tambor may be best known for his stellar television work starting with ” The Ropers ” (a low-rated spin-off of ” Three’s Company”) to ” Hill Street Blues ” to ” The Larry Sanders Show ” (as the ultimate thick-headed sidekick Hank Kingsley) and the sublime ” Arrested Development ” (very soon headed to the big screen), but he’s been making an impression on film goers as a superb supporting player going all the way back to 1979 as Al Pacino’s unstable law partner in “…And Justice for All “. Since then he’s been bouncing back and forth between big comedy blockbusters ( THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY, CITY SLICKERS, and the two HANGOVER flicks ) and family friendly fare (HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS, various Muppet movies, and voices in MONSTERS VS. ALIENS and THE SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS MOVIE). Many times he’s a goofy father or somewhat shady business guy (as in the recent indie WIN WIN), so his role as as Tom Manning in the two HELLBOY films was a pleasant surprise. His uptight, clueless beaucrat become a great addition to the demon fighting team by the end of the first movie mission. Film fans have come to look forward to his great scene-stealing performances when they spot his name in conjuction with projects for the small and big screen.

04. Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Morgan has quickly become one of Hollywood’s most charming actors as well as one of the most sought after. Truly this generations ladies man. From WATCHMEN to THE LOSERS to ALL GOOD THINGS, Jeffrey Dean Morgan comes across on screen as a man’s man. Like Jeffrey Hunter, Morgan is another actor who can easily slip between roles in movies and TV. In the last decade he’s been on such hit shows as “Weeds”, “Supernatural”, and “Grey’s Anatomy”. WAMG looks forward to his upcoming roles in the RED DAWN remake, STARZ’s “Magic City”, and anything else that may come down the road for the fast approaching leading actor.

03. Jeff Daniels

For a fella’ that looks like your typical suburban dad next door, Jeff Daniels has had an interesting film resume’. He first used his affable boyish charm as that cheatin’ hubby Flap in James Brooks’s TERMS OF ENDEARMENT. After that smash it seemed that he was looking to team up with gifted directors rather than grab the ” rom-com ” brass ring. In Woody Allen’s THE PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO he was the matinee idol that literally walked off the screen to romance Mia Farrow. Then he was an uptight every-man literally handcuffed to wildchild Melanie Griffith in Jonathan Demme’s SOMETHING WILD. A complete turn around from that was perhaps his biggest hit as equally dimwitted brother Harry keeping comic pace with the white-hot Jim Carrey in the Farelly Brother’s DUMB & DUMBER. Jeff’s done his share of ” safe” multiplex fare (101 DALMATIONS, ARACHNOPHOBIA), but in recent years he’s made a mark for himself in supporting roles from PLEASANTVILLE, THE SQUID AND THE WHALE, to the quirky recent thriller THE LOOKOUT. Let’s hope that Jeff will continue to surprise us with his big screen choices.

02. Jeff Goldblum

“But, John. If the Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, the pirates don’t eat the tourists.” Jeff Goldblum is perhaps most widely known as Dr. Ian Malcolm from JURASSIC PARK, followed closely as Dr. Brundle from THE FLY. Interesting, both are doctors. Goldblum is an actor not unlike Christopher Walken, an actor we love and that always shows up in every character he performs, but adds such a unique style and personality of his own that we’re perfectly willing to accept this recurring familiarity. Beloved for his trademark style of delivering dialogue with a cool, intellectual stagger, Goldblum never fails to get his point across and always succeeds at making the audience read his facial gestures and body language as readily as we listen to his words.

01. Jeff Bridges

From “The Dude” to Rooster Cogburn, Jeff Bridges puts his all into every character he plays. Bridges made the slacker cool, not just a do nothing bum, reinvented the role John Wayne made famous, but many of his greatest roles are from so many of the lesser known films in which he so graciously partakes, such as a man experiencing an existential epiphany after surviving a plane crash, or when he plays an alien disguised as a human on Earth, struggling to get back home in STARMAN. More than just as actor, Bridges is an artist, a photographer, a musician and has now become a household name and an American icon.

So how did we do? Let us know in the comments section. JEFF, WHO LIVES AT HOME will be in theaters this Friday, March 16.

Follow on Twitter: @JeffMovie

http://www.jeffwholivesathome.com/